'Outstandingly beautiful village' with incredible find inside ancient church

When your holiday plans don't take you overseas, sometimes the best discoveries lie a little closer to home.

Staycations have surged in popularity in recent years, and few regions in England are as obvious a choice as the Cotswolds.

Famous for "honey-coloured" stone cottages, winding lanes and a landscape of rolling hills littered with "bhhh-ing" sheep.

An officially recognised Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the region offers the perfect escape from city-living and a world of screens.

However, with all that fame, the area has almost become too popular of a destination with coachloads of tourists filling the streets of the famous villages of Castle Combe, Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water.

However, one much quieter village, sure to give you a much more authentic life in the Cotswolds, is able to make you feel like you're stepping back in time, but without sacrificing modern comfort.

There's something special about feeling slightly off-grid, where few cars pass, only a few locals and the farmers' animals surround you, and in sipping tea, or something stronger, besides a roaring fire inside a local pub.

That's exactly what you'll find in the village of Stanton, tucked just on the edge of the Cotswold hills in Gloucestershire. Often described as "outstandingly beautiful", it's built almost entirely from golden Cotswold stone, with cottages that haven't changed much in centuries. There are no bustling shops or tourist traps here - instead, it's a much quieter affair to get you lost in.

Inside the village's ancient church, St Michael & All Angels, there lies a remarkable find. Medieval wall-paintings dating all the way back to the early 14th century add to the town's almost ancient history, with each pew even marked by generations of shepherds tying up their dogs.

Unsurprisingly for the area, the countryside around the village holds some truly fantastic walks, or Stanton is a perfect base to head out on a day trip or two to some bigger places with a little more to keep you busy.

After all that walking, you're sure to have worked up an appetite, or a thirst, so a trip to the village pub is a must. Serving local food and a range of craft ales, The Mount Inn is set slightly away from the centre of the village, instead perched on top of a hill overlooking it, creating some pretty spectacular views.

There are also some other choices for an evening eating out not far away, such as The Queens Head in Sedgeberrow. Neighbouring town Broadway also boasts many choices, whether you're after tea and cake or a pint.

For anyone looking for a weekend away, the village is home to some family-run B&Bs and a few holiday rentals for those looking for a more private trip.

Despite its small size, the village is no stranger to praise either, being named among the prettiest villages by both the Daily Telegraph and the Huffington Post and was even named England's most beautiful by Sykes Cottages.